The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is advising residents of the state to get in the “bear aware” mindset already this spring.
Local Kenai Peninsula Fish and Game Biologist Jeff Selinger…
Selinger: “Always keep it in the back of your mind that they could be out. I think that’s always a good practice to keep.”
The Department suggests feeding pets inside, keeping trash in bear-proof containers, and cleaning outdoor grills thoroughly after use to avoid bears being attracted to close to residences.
Another thing that can attract bears is animal carcasses that are thawing during the warm spring temperatures.
Jeff Selinger says over the winter around 70 to 80 moose were reportedly struck by vehicles but walked away and not recovered and those animals could have died elsewhere.
There were multiple bear attacks on the Kenai Peninsula in 2015 and the Department recommends always carrying some kind of bear defense in the woods, even if it’s not far from popular areas.
HEY BEARS!!! How YOU Can Stay Safe in Bear Country. from ADF&G on Vimeo.
